The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-20

time II cOnDels the retention OF many officials
and cms.oyes whose services might otherwise
be Dispersed with.
"aere s no reason to believe that the Re-
publican party would make. or attempt to
make, a'.y substantial reduction of expendi-
lures, or give its support TO this necessary re-
! form IN toe public service. II could not do
either W.: ,ut repudiating its past policy and
UndOing It's own work
Ii We lopS beyond the ordinary outlay for
the support Of the Government and consider
the general course OF the two parties N rela-
ton TO the appropriation and expenditure OF
the public money for other purposes, the diff
ference between them is, il possible, still more
important In tbs matter Of pensions espe-
elaIIy, the Republican party, in and out of Con-
gress, has thoroughly committed itself to =
policy which, If carried out, would bankrupt the
country, or, az the very least, subject the peo-
PIE TO burden o. taxation that would seriously
cripple and emb2rrass all their indus
tries. While ii is Just and polite
that Government Ike ours, which
maintains no large standing army, should
grant liberal pensions to its wounded and dis
abled soldiers and sailors, and 20 the widows
and dependent relatives Of those who have died
the rights and interests of the great body OF the
people, who pay the taxes, carry on the indus
tries and develop the resources of the country,
should not be entirely disregarded. Already
the United States are expending annually, on
account OF military and naval pelSioLS, more
than Is paid by all the other Governments in
the world combined; and as time passes and
conditions chauge-as old age and disease over
take the survivors of the late war, and the
wealth Of the country increases-the benefits of
the law viii be extended and the allowances
augmente = until finally all who can show
reasonable term Of service and IN honorable
discharge viii receive the generous aid of the
Government. This policy is not only right in
ITSELF but il aecords with the past course OF the
Government toward the soldiers Of other wars,
and no public man Of either party should OPP
pose it. But there is 4 limit TO the tax-paying
power OF the people, and the re Il friend Of the
soldier-aot the mere politician VINO is seeking
votes ut the expense OF the public
treasury. but the responsible legislator,
who foresees the consequences OF his
action, and wants justice done TO all classes
VIII proceed slowly and cautiously in 4 matter
involving such vital interests. The Republican
party is in no proper condition to control legis-
lation upon this subject 1t can not halt with
out violating its pledges TO the soldiers and IL
can not proceed without doing an lrreparable
wrong 10 the Taxpayers.
The Democratic party has always been the
friend Of the navy and the merchant marine,
and so long as it remained in power the Ameri-
can flag was displayed on every sea and in
every commercial port Seventy five years ago
wnen the Republic was in its infancy, our ships
of war won imperishable renown in the conflict
with Great Britain, the boosted mistress of the
seas, and up to the beginning Of the late civil
war more than three-fourths OF our foreign COM
commerce was carried in our own vessels.
Now, after twenty-four hours of Republican
domination, we have no naval establishment
worthy of the name, and scarcely more than
one-seVenth part Of our foreign carrying trade
is done by American ships. II the
mere appropriation and expenditure Of money
had been all that was necessary, the Republic
an party as thoroughly demonstrated its quail
ificat ion for the task. but unfortunately all its
efforts TO secure a navy without either building
or buying vessels have signally failed. Nor
was it any more successful in its attempts to
increase foreign commerce and revive the car
rying trade by paying subsidies and boanties
out OF the treasury. The paralyzing influences
of barbarous navigation laws can not be obvi-
ated by such artificial stimulants.
Free ships and liberal laws for the regulation
of trade. instead OF restricting legislation and
unfriendly taxation, woula do more in a few
years to restore our merchant marine and in
crease our commerce with South America and |
other parts of the world than was accom- |
plished during all the time the Republican
party had charge OF the Government. Com |
mercial treaties, while they may be desirable
under peculiar circumstances, are generally |
more favorable to one party than the other |
and are therefore frequently unjust. Besides, !
they grant exclusive privileges and make |
improper and Offensive determinations
against other friendly nations. thus pro- !
VOking spirit OF retaliation upon their |
part which may greatly iniure the interests of !
our citizens abroad. As a general rule, great |
power like the United States should always re- |
tain absolute control over its own affairs. and !!
not embarrass itself by commercial or other !
alliances with foreign Governments. We have |
II in our own power, without bargaining or con- ,
sulting with any other nation, 10 adopt policy ,
which will insure domestic tranquility, extend |
our commerce, create new and profitable mar |
kets for our products, revive our ship-building ]
and ship-owninS interests, and infuse new life :
aud energy into every department of industry. |
1t is the Democratic policy Of low taxation, ,
economy in the administration of public affairs, :,
nOn-interference with the private business OF |
the people equal regard for the reserved rights !
OF the States and the constitutional authority of
the Federal Government. protection TO the Cit |
zen ut home and abroad and just and equal |
laws for the promotion and encouragement of !
every honest industry and every species Of /,
lawful commerce.